Chapter 13: Never Misuse It

The speed of the Human Boulder was incredible—within moments, it closed the distance to Tsunade, leaving her no time to dodge.

Not that Tsunade intended to dodge in the first place.

"If it's about strength, I won't lose to anyone."

Her voice brimmed with confidence and fighting spirit. Forming a hand seal, Tsunade leapt from the ground, her right leg taut as a steel cable. She aimed a devastating kick at the oncoming Human Boulder, fully intending to meet force with force.

The technique she used was called Heavenly Foot of Pain, an immensely powerful taijutsu move.

At this point, Tsunade hadn't yet mastered medical ninjutsu, so her combat style relied on brute strength paired with taijutsu. Though she hadn't inherited the Wood Release kekkei genkai from her grandfather, Hashirama Senju, she had inherited his monstrous strength.

Because her body was overflowing with raw power, every taijutsu move she executed carried unimaginable force.

Bang!

A muffled impact echoed through the clearing as Tsunade's kick collided with the Human Boulder. For two heartbeats, they were locked in a stalemate. Then, the Human Boulder was sent flying backward, crashing into the forest behind with tremendous force.

Crack! Crack!

Trees splintered and toppled as Akimichi Sansan reverted to his normal form, collapsing to the ground, his face pale with fear.

He had heard the rumors about Tsunade's terrifying strength. But having never faced her in battle, he'd assumed the stories were exaggerated. Only now, after their clash, did he realize they were entirely true.

Tsunade landed gracefully, immediately using the Body Flicker Technique to dash toward Sansan. Her speed was so great that only afterimages remained in her wake.

Sansan forced himself upright and partially used the Multi-Size Technique again, swelling his hands to several times their normal size before slamming them toward Tsunade.

"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"

Tsunade's voice rang out as she launched another punch, this time infused with wind-natured chakra. Her strike was faster and more forceful than before, effortlessly breaking through Sansan's technique without sustaining a scratch.

In a flash, Tsunade leaped forward and landed right in front of him. Without hesitation, she threw a straight punch, slamming into Sansan's chest.

"Aaaagh!"

Sansan let out a pained cry as his body was sent flying, skidding across the ground for dozens of meters before coming to a halt. The impact left a deep trench in his wake, the earth completely torn apart.

'That strength… It's terrifying. If I ever want to peek on Tsunade while she's bathing, I'll have to be extremely careful. No way I can let myself get caught.'

Jiraiya watched from the sidelines, making a mental note. In the original timeline, Jiraiya had once tried peeping on Tsunade while she bathed and ended up with multiple broken ribs for his trouble. Now that he had reincarnated into this world, he vowed to avoid such a miserable fate. If he ever planned to sneak a peek, he'd ensure every detail was meticulously prepared.

Cough!

Sansan spat out a mouthful of blood, clearly injured. If not for the Akimichi clan's naturally durable bodies, any other chunin would've been carried off by medical-nin after taking such a punch.

"I yield," Sansan muttered, touching his bruised chest with a wince. Though it stung his pride, he had no choice. His opponent was simply stronger. Better to concede than to suffer more of Tsunade's punches.

Despite being a capable shinobi, Sansan's defeat had been swift and decisive because of Tsunade's monstrous strength.

Danzo's expression darkened slightly. He had initiated these matches, yet his side had already lost two in a row. It was humiliating.

The third match? He didn't even need to think about it—it was a guaranteed loss. Orochimaru was an unmatched genius, someone whose strength was already approaching that of a jonin. Danzo's student, Yamanaka Ichiei, didn't stand a chance.

Moreover, Danzo's best chance at victory, Aburame Ryoma, had already been defeated by Jiraiya.

"This match is unnecessary," Danzo said curtly, abandoning the idea of letting Ichiei fight Orochimaru. "Hokage-sama, I concede. My students are no match for yours."

He didn't want to prolong his embarrassment.

Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled smoke from his pipe and shook his head.

"It's not that you're lacking as a teacher—my students simply have excellent talent."

Danzo's ability to train subordinates was undeniable. After all, most of the elite ANBU operatives had been groomed under his guidance.

"Hokage-sama, there are matters in the ANBU that require my attention. I'll take my leave."

Danzo left the training ground with his students, not bothering to linger. At this point, he had yet to establish Root and was still officially part of the ANBU.

After the Second Great Ninja War, Hiruzen would grow wary of Danzo's increasing influence and take back control of the ANBU. It was then that Danzo created Root, a faction Hiruzen permitted to exist to handle morally gray operations—and to take the fall for any blameworthy deeds.

"Jiraiya," Orochimaru said, breaking the silence, "how did your strength improve so much so quickly?"

"It's simple. I'm a genius," Jiraiya replied with a smug grin.

Orochimaru sighed, exasperated by his friend's antics.

"Tsunade," Jiraiya said, his tone playful, "I won, so you better not back out on what you promised yesterday."

"I never go back on my word," Tsunade replied, still surprised by Jiraiya's victory but unwilling to deny her promise.

"See? I told you I'd amaze all of you." Jiraiya puffed out his chest proudly.

"Defeating one chunin isn't anything to brag about," Tsunade retorted, rolling her eyes. "And no one's amazed."

"When I beat Aburame Ryoma, you were so shocked your jaw practically hit the ground," Jiraiya shot back.

Tsunade faltered, momentarily speechless.

Seeing her flustered expression, Jiraiya chuckled inwardly.

"Sensei," Jiraiya said, turning to Hiruzen, "I've won, so it's time for you to teach me the Water Release: Water Mirror Technique."

Eager to learn, Jiraiya was adamant. It wasn't that he wanted to use the technique to spy on women bathing—he simply wanted to enhance his reconnaissance abilities for future missions.

He would never misuse such a jutsu for trivial purposes.

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